7 jam yang lalu
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai criticized the National Commission on Human Rights' (Komnas HAM) statement regarding indications of human rights violations in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
He criticized the statement of Komnas HAM regarding MBG as irrelevant. In the context of the MBG dispute, Komnas HAM should issue a statement indicating criminal violations, mismanagement, or misleading in its implementation.
"That's why I said Komnas HAM doesn't understand human rights principles," Pigai said when met at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
He says that determining whether something violates human rights requires following applicable mechanisms. In the context of MBG, this project is still in the construction phase.
Therefore, he said, the assessment of human rights violations in MBG should be made when construction is complete, rather than while the project is still ongoing.
Pigai did not deny the incidents of poisoning. However, he said, poisoning is not within the scope of construction, but rather a mistake in implementation that can be evaluated gradually.
"That is in accordance with human rights principles. That's why I say, many of Komnas HAM don't understand, how come the commissioners are not from a human rights background," Pigai said.
On Monday, June 15, Komnas HAM commissioner Uli Parulian Sihombing announced that they had found indications of human rights violations in the implementation of the MBG program.
He mentioned that Komnas HAM initially identified eight issues in the implementation of this flagship project under President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
One of them is the excessively large number of beneficiaries. Uli said that the MBG application would be more effective and targeted if it focused on specific groups, such as those in the 3T areas and the 3B groups, who are in great need of nutritious food.
Among other findings, Komnas HAM found ambiguities in the division of authority between institutions and a lack of coordination between MBG and the government.
"Based on these initial findings, Komnas HAM found strong indications of human rights violations in the implementation of the MBG project," said Uli.
Read: Why Can't Prabowo's MBG Program Be Halted, According to the Palace?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Pigai: Indonesia Could Set World Record for Human Rights Education
7 hari lalu
Minister of Law and Human Rights Natalius Pigai claimed to have conducted human rights education for 6,000 people, surpassing Uruguay.
Civilian Appointments in Police Forces Are Common Abroad, Says Pigai
10 hari lalu
Natalius Pigai said his proposal to allow civilians to hold police positions is in line with civilian oversight practices in many developed countries.
Fact Check: No, Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Never Told Iran to Leave Strait of Hormuz
10 hari lalu
Fact check - Neither Minister Pigai nor the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has ever issued such a statement.
Iran at War: Stability Masks Deepening Crises
11 hari lalu
100 days into the Iran war, stability endures, but economic woes, social unrest and rising repression expose deeper cracks.
UN Experts Condemn Military Trial for Andrie Yunus Attack
12 hari lalu
UN experts express dismay over the military trial of Indonesian soldiers accused of an acid attack against human rights defender Andrie Yunus.
Ghana Approves Law Criminalizing LGBTQ Promotion Activities
18 hari lalu
Ghana's parliament passed one of the most repressive anti-LGBTQ laws in Africa. The law sets prison terms on individuals promoting LGBTQ activities.
Indonesia Moves to Provide Scholarships and Protection for Journalists
26 hari lalu
Indonesia's Human Rights Ministry is preparing journalist scholarships and stronger protections to expand human rights mainstreaming.
Indonesian Minister: Papua Conflict Needs National Political Decision
37 hari lalu
Natalius Pigai, Indonesia's Minister of Human Rights, discusses the need for a comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict in Papua.
Indonesia Proposes 'Right to Be Forgotten' Clause in Human Rights Law Revision
43 hari lalu
The Ministry of Human Rights has included a right to be forgotten clause in the Human Rights Bill to restore the image of individuals due to their digital footprint from the past.
Indonesian Gov't Has No Authority Over Activist Status, Minister Says
43 hari lalu
Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai stated that Indonesian gov't has no right to determine status of human rights activists for an individual.
English (US) · 
Indonesian (ID) ·